{
  "id": 4686470,
  "title": "Makkah Defence Alliance to be institutionalised, Pakistan to head secretariat for 3 years: FO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/makkah-defence-alliance-to-be-institutionalised-pakistan-to-head",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T17:56:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2026391/makkah-defence-alliance-to-be-institutionalised-pakistan-to-head-secretariat-for-3-years-fo"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Foreign Office (FO) announced on Monday that Pakistan will head the secretariat of the Makkah Defence Alliance for a period of three years, as the partnership between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is set to be institutionalised to strengthen collective deterrence and defence. The agreement's first meeting took place in Istanbul, attended by the foreign and defence ministers of the three nations, as well as top military officials. The alliance's secretariat, which will be established in Saudi Arabia, will be headed by a secretary general from Pakistan for the initial three-year term. The three countries also agreed to work together to enhance solidarity and the credibility and effectiveness of their collective deterrence and defence, contributing to regional efforts towards a just, inclusive and lasting peace.",
  "summary": "Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have agreed to further institutionalise their cooperation under the Makkah Agreement to strengthen collective deterrence and defence, with the alliance’s secretariat to be initially headed by Pakistan for three years, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Monday. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan announce permanent secretariat, new defense cooperation under Mecca Agreement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/saudi-arabia-turkey-and-pakistan-announce-permanent-secretariat-new",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:40:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Pakistan, Türkiye agree to boost defence cooperation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/pakistan-turkiye-agree-to-boost-defence-cooperation",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:00:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}